SARS tagged posts

This is human coronavirus 229E being inactivated on copper. Credit: University of Southampton

These viruses are linked to SARS (severe acute respiratory syndrome) and MERS (Middle East respiratory syndrome). Animal coronaviruses that ‘host jump’ to humans, eg SARS and MERS, result in severe infections with high mortality. The Southampton researchers found a closely-related human coronavirus – 229E – can remain infectious on common surface materials for several days, but is rapidly destroyed on copper.

Coronavirus 229E, which produces a range of respiratory symptoms from the common cold to more lethal outcomes such as pneumonia, can survive on surface materials including ceramic tiles, glass, rubber and stainless steel for at least five days...